Jason Whitebear was working as a volunteer medic on Sunday when news broke that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would not grant an easement for the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota.
READ MORE: Dakota Access pipeline construction halted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The decision was widely considered a victory for the several thousand camped near the pipeline construction site, who have said for months that the four-state, $3.8 billion project would threaten a water source and cultural sites.
“It almost felt rather surreal,” Whitebear recalled.
Whitebear, a native of White Bear, Sask., felt he had to take part in the Standing Rock movement after seeing violent clashes between protestors and local police on social media.
In his role as a volunteer medic, he prepared the camp’s facilities for “the worst case scenario”, fearing that conflict would arise following the Dec. 5 deadline to evacuate issued by the U.S. Army.
Those clashes never came and Whitebear found himself instead treating elders and youth who were slipping and falling in the severe winter weather that hammered much of North Dakota on Monday.
“It’s a really nice place just to give people reassurance that they have people that will care for them in the event that they do come in to harm’s way or injury,” he said.
While the news was heralded as a victory, Whitebear said many in the camp quickly turned skeptical; unconvinced that the pipeline would be completely diverted from the Standing Rock Sioux reserve.
“There was also rumblings that they would continue their work regardless of the decision that was handed down yesterday,” he said.
Whitebear said demonstrators are continuing to prepare for the harsh North Dakota winter ahead, adding that many of the people on site travelled to the camp with a one-way trip in mind.
FSIN congratulates demonstrators
In a statement released Sunday, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) congratulated “the Water Protectors at Standing Rock for their perseverance against the Dakota Access pipeline development on their lands”.
FSIN, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, has had members of its executive visit Standing Rock since protests began in April and openly encourages Saskatchewan indigenous people to join in the Sioux tribe’s efforts.
“We urge the water protectors to remain vigilant. There’s no telling what will happen after this new presidential administration takes over.”
Saskatchewan Stands with Standing Rock
An event was held Dec. 3 at The Exchange in Regina to raise money for legal fees and winter supplies for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Laura Lodge co-organized Saskatchewan Stands with Standing Rock, a night of live music entertainment, a silent auction, door prizes and an artist showcase.
The event raised over $2,000.
“It’s a political event and some people are going to feel opposite to what we felt. But I was really surprised at how much support we got,” she said.
Lodge said she believes Standing Rock is “a catalyst”, one that will reverberate throughout North America and wanted to aid demonstrators whatever way she could.
Saskatchewan Stand with Standing Rock will continue to collect donations to send to North Dakota for the remainder of the week.
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